Wow, the closed Italian [u] – why Italian? – why did Gregorian chant, opera, and singing in a certain way seemingly start in Italy? Their language was the main reason, and of course, we must consider that because it started there, it started because of their language. Denes Striny, Great Singers, An Endangered Species, HowContinue reading “Gregorian Chant for Opera Singers”
Category Archives: Pronunciation for Singing
Consonants – Oskar Guttmann
The starting point to introduce the various techniques required for singing consonants today is to choose a Cancone Solfeggio phrase and refer to Oskar Guttmann’s ‘Gymnastics for the Voice’. The majority of the techniques I blog about are for the classical voice. However, this blog is for every style. Every singer should be aware ofContinue reading “Consonants – Oskar Guttmann”
Nasal Close
Lilli Lehmann writes “[t]he nasal close of itself brings a new color into the singing…the word is much more clearly intelligible…”. Below is a demonstration of a Cancone solfeggio phrase. The first ‘sol la’ is sung without a nasal close and the second is with a nasal close. Can you hear the second ‘sol la’Continue reading “Nasal Close”
Pronunciation
“He who knows how to breathe and pronounce well, knows how to sing well” Pacchiarotti (quoted in Francesco Lamperti’s book The Art of Singing). I have written quite a few posts about breathing. Today, I decided to write about pronunciation. Pronunciation, as well as breathing exercises, should precede singing lessons. Oskar Guttmann, in his GymnasticsContinue reading “Pronunciation”
Deborah Wai Kapohe 